Posts Tagged ‘Death in Islam’

Last month my mom passed away. God bless her and grant her paradise, Ameen. This was the first time i saw someone pass away from this world in front of my eyes and that too my own mother. It was not easy, but it was the knowledge of death and knowledge of God that helped me alot in this situation. I constantly remembered whatever i knew about death – Verses from Quran, sayings of the Prophet and learned men. Surprisingly, i was able to deal with it in a mature way and accept that it was the will of God. I felt my intellect taking over my emotions. Instead of crying and weeping, i was thinking about what i can do to benefit her – prayers and charity.

So, i am going to share with you some thoughts. Ponder upon them. Hope you will find this helpful.

1. Realizing that God has created death and constantly reminds us of it in the Quran. He created life and we belong to him. If he wants to call us back, Why should we panic? The prophets, saints and pious people- all experienced death, so who are we to complain?

Some verses from the Quran about death..There are numerous others..

Say (to them): “Allah gives you life, then causes you to die, then He will assemble you on the Day of Resurrection about which there is no doubt. But most of mankind know not.” (Chapter 45, Verse 26)

Wherever ye are, death will find you out, even if ye are in towers built up strong and high!” If some good befalls them they say “This is from Allah”; but if evil, they say “This is from thee” (O Prophet). Say: “All things are from Allah. But what hath come to these people, that they fail to understand a single fact? (Chapter 4, Verse 78)

Its like you were playing in the hot sun for a long time and your parents are calling you back to your home. Yes, you would want to play more but your parents know what is better for you…

2. The world is full of pains and troubles. So why do people feel sad when someone dies? Isn’t he getting rid of all pains and troubles. The only thing we should worry about is his/her forgiveness and a happy eternal life. Hadith in reference to this.

“The gift of a believer is death.” [ Mishkat 1609]

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: The world is a prison-house for a believer and Paradise for a non-believer.

Sahih Muslim (Book #042 Hadith #7058)

So think about it. If you were in a prison with someone, and he was getting released from it, would you feel sad? Wouldn’t you worry about when you will be released?

3. If you feel sad looking at the dead body, then know that worldly death is just the separation of soul from body. What you see is just clay and mud.

The real thing – soul has gone and God knows best where it is. So pray for the forgiveness of the soul and give charity for it instead of weeping over clay and mud. I would like to share a few lines from last poem of Imam Al-Ghazali about death. I remember mentioning about this to my mother a few days before she passed away.

4. Death is actually birth in the real world. Isn’t it? Think of this – when you were born, you had to leave the womb of your mother. Did anyone express grief on your leaving the womb? No. They were all happy about your coming in this world. Similarly, when someone is leaving this world, think about its entry in the REAL world. He will meet God, see the angels, see paradise and hopefully live there – A life of never ending youth, no sickness, all kinds of pleasures that one needs… Who would be sad to know if his/her loved one is going to such a place? The only thing worth worrying and working for is the persons forgiveness and acceptance of his/her deeds by God.

5. The only thing that is hard to control is old times and memories. They will definitely make you sad and cry. Some of out of many measures that you can take regarding this are as follows.

(i) Don’t worry if you feel like crying – We are humans and have emotions and letting out tears actually softens and lightens the heart but what i am objecting is when people say ‘Had this not happened…..’, ‘Oh..If he/she was still alive….’, ‘why did this happen to us’….so on. Realise that your loved one is in a better place.

(ii) Try to keep yourself busy – Talk to people, Realize that things could have been much worse. There are people suffering alot more than you think you are. Do good things that you wanted to do. And keep in mind that you are dying too one da, so make sure you at some level are always preparing for your ultimate destination.

(iii) Patience – With time, it will get better. Your pains will heal and you will gain strength (If God wills). So be patient and thankful for whatever you have been given and Don’t worry about what is gone, because it has to go, and realize this – You had no control over it.

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